Arthur Rullion Rattray

Rattray was born in Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland, the fourth of five children born to Arthur Rattray, a retired Indian Civil Servant and judge, and his wife Mary Louise Wakely (née Sutherland). His parents had returned from Bengal, where their first three children were born, in around 1889.[2]

Rattray was sent to HMS Conway, a training ship based at Liverpool, in January 1906, remaining there until December 1907.[3] He then trained at HMS Ganges, near Ipswich,[2] before serving in the Merchant Service, working for the Aberdeen-based shipping company of George Milne & Co.,[4] until joining the Royal Indian Marine in 1912.[5]

Rattray continued to serve in the RIM after the outbreak of World War I, but on 15 February 1917 he was appointed a temporary lieutenant on the General List ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE att. ROYAL FLYING CORPS / rfc][6] as a flying officer (observer), with seniority from 7 November 1916,[7] but without prior pay or allowances.[8] Transfer to RFC from RNAS 6th November 1916 becoming a member of the RNAS attached to RFC 30 Squadron No. 30 - BE2c. Mesopotamia / reconnaissance. Gained a mention in despatches from the Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Stanley Maude, on 15 August 1917.[9] Mesopotamia / reconnaissance. Piloted by Lt Page in BE 2c serial 4582 low level bombing attack, shot up by ground fire. Rattray wounded in the leg. 3 weeks in hospital. (sick leave from 29/11/17 : I year 85 days service with RFC). Service records stating his transfer back to the Royal Navy (minesweeping duties, Ramsgate), in January 1918. Transferred back to Royal Indian Marine : 17/11/20 after sixteen months Leave. Rattray rejoined the Royal Indian Marine, which became the Royal Indian Navy in 1934.

On 26 December 1934 he was promoted from lieutenant commander to commander,[10] and to captain on 5 April 1940.[11] By the time he was made a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire on 1 January 1943, he was serving as a commodore,[12] and by 14 June 1945, when he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, had been promoted to rear-admiral.[13] By the time he was made a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire on 1 January 1943, he was serving as a commodore,[12] and by 14 June 1945, when he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, had been promoted to rear-admiral.[13] He was serving as Flag Officer, Bombay, during the 1946 mutiny. Rattray was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1948,[14] two weeks before his retirement on 13 January.[15 He was serving as Flag Officer, Bombay, during the 1946 mutiny. Rattray was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1948,[14] two weeks before his retirement on 13 January.[15]

Rattray died at his home in Camberley, Surrey, on 10 August 1966.[16]